Sky Sports’ soccer writers team analyzes key topics after Thomas Touchel nominated his first team as manager of England.
Tuchel places his faith in the revitalization Rashford
At Manchester United, there was no obvious route from the club, and Marcus Rashford appeared at Limbo a few weeks ago. Following the productive start of loans at Aston Villa, his return to England completed a rapid change in his 27-year-old property.
He was gradually taken action by Villa Unai Emery and only started nine possible games, but the assist with Club Bruges in the middle of the week was fourth and fourth on the pitch with 461 minutes. Thomas Touchel appears to be seen well enough to believe he can return to his best. His call ends in international asylum for the year.
The plans for the England manager are of course directed towards the 2026 World Cup, and Rashford certainly incorporates tournament pedigree in two previous editions. In Qatar, he was underused and scored three goals in just 137 minutes. He’s a game-changing option. Now he has another opportunity to show it on the international stage.
Nick Wright
When will England play?
March 21 – Albania (H), World Cup Qualifiers March 24 – Latvia (H), World Cup Qualifiers
Grealish outlook will be dark after omission
As Rashford celebrates his return to the team, Jack Grelish remains seen from the outside. The winger was an outstanding performer in the October camp under Lee Carsley in September and October, and was impressed by the number 10 role in the game against Ireland and Finland, but he ousted him from the unit in November, and then his minutes were drained in Manchester City.
Image: Jack Grelish has been removed from Thomas Touchel’s first English team
Grealish has not started a Premier League match since their 2-1 loss to former club Aston Villa on December 21. The player, who was strictly omitted from the Gareth Southgate team in Euro 2024, is fighting in his hands to return to the contest for the next major tournament. His outlook is not very clear right now.
Nick Wright
Chuchel is leaning towards the experience
Tuchel balances young and promising talents like Myles Lewis-Skelly and Tino Livramento with opportunities for senior teams and leaning on the experience.
Jordan Henderson will return to the three-man Lions team, less than a year after being last involved with the national team.
Kyle Walker also holds his spot after being moved after saying goodbye to AC Milan’s Man City in January.
Image: Jordan Henderson returned to England team a year later
Tuchel’s plans seem clear. He has only signed a short-term deal with England and is aiming to win the World Cup in 2026. This requires a combination of experience on the international stage and exciting talent.
Henderson doesn’t grab the headlines with his style of play, but his return is a big call from Torchell, who was clearly impressed when he travels to the Netherlands and sees Ajax’s actions.
Patrick Lowe
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Sky Sports senior reporter Rob Dorsett gives a verdict on Thomas Touchel’s first England team. This is a team with quite a surprise!
Injured young people miss the chance to be impressed
Tuchel sees most of the English crops during this international window, not all. It’s controversy that Bukayo Saka is probably lost, but that’s his obvious choice in any major tournament, but among the injured Cobbie Mineu, Louis Hall and Noni Madueke are also promising. If I continue to appear in the club from now on to next summer, everything will scream.
Image: Bukayosaka injured his hamstring in Arsenal’s 5-1 victory at Crystal Palace in December
Trent Alexander Arnold is certainly a Shoe-in as well as the John Stones, but neither Chuchel will be available for this occasion. The Stones’ injury record is a concern. He missed far more games than he played this season, managing Man City’s six Premier League starts, plus a 545-minute Premier League start. The misery of Luke Shaw’s injuries is equally well documented.
Tuchel runs quickly and hits the ground, and there’s plenty of time for anyone with fitness concerns to come back, despite the need to form an alliance with players he feels trustworthy. The Germans only had six windows to inform him of his final selection before the start of the World Cup.
Laura Hunter
I put pressure on Foden to be impressed
Phil Foden narrowed his way to this British team, but pressure is underway to impress Touchel.
Last season’s Premier League player has seen his performance level drop significantly in his current campaign. Seven goals on 23 top flight outings represent some of the quality he was showing in 2023/24.
Image: Man City star Philfoden is included in the English team despite struggling with his form
This is part of Man City’s struggle this season, but Foden rarely hits the same height for the national team, even when he was at his best in national football.
The injuries to Saka and Madueke eased Torchel’s path to the first team, but if he fails to deliver on this opportunity, he risks dropping out of international photos.
Patrick Lowe
Has Watkins been added to the injury list?
Aston Villa Forward and British Euro 2024 hero Ollie Watkins are obvious omissions from the team – but his final villa can explain why.
Emery revealed that after a 3-0 victory against Club Bruges, Watkins demanded that he be replaced at halftime because he “not feeling well” after a minor injury.
Image: Ollie Watkins was removed from the English team after picking up injuries and Club Bruges on Wednesday
The seriousness of the set-off has not yet been determined, but at Watkins’s expense, Tottenham’s Dominique Solanke will run a nod from Touchel as a squad researcher with a team after returning from a knee injury last weekend.
Jarrod Bowen and Rashford both can go through the middle, but their strengths lie widely, with only two recognized strikers remaining in Tuchel’s first team.
Patrick Lowe
Rogers rewarded consistency
Morgan Rogers won his first full call, which is no surprise. The Aston Villa midfielder benefited from a few injuries retreats at the camp in November and was drafted as a backup featured in both the Greek and Ireland games.
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Aston Villa’s Morgan Rodgers scored the opener in a great way as a strike from the edge of the box passed Mark Frecken on a goal from Brentford, and Villa won 3-1.
However, his excellent continuity for the villa means that he has been in from the beginning this time. 12 goals and seven assists including 11 goals in the Premier League – meaning he is one of England’s most inguenote midfield options.
His combination play is also excellent, and he is often involved in the build-up phase of his villa’s goals, even if he is not directly involved in scoring. His creativity should help Harry Kane well.
Laura Hunter
What is the answer to England’s problem at Lewis-Skelly left back?
Maiden’s appeal to Arsenal defender Miles Lewis Skelly – will he be the answer at left back in the near future?
England has been screaming for someone to fill the role blank for a while, and the show has yet to come back from injury. Ben Chilwell revived his career at Crystal Palace, and Lewis Hall ruled out the rest of the season through injuries.
Image: Arsenal Ace Miles Lewis Skelly (left) received an English maiden being summoned by a senior squad
Even without injuries, he can still argue that it is an obvious choice. The 18-year-old is an Arsenal revelation in his groundbreaking campaign, showing his talent regularly beyond his years – some expiration of focus and discipline.
He has made 25 appearances for Gunner this season. This includes six outings in the Champions League. It’s time for the international stage now.
Patrick Lowe
